The Western Isles Syrian Family Refugee Resettlement Working Group is preparing for the arrival of Syrian families in the islands.
The council area is registered with the Home Office in preparation for receiving refugee families, and the group is now awaiting the identification of houses which can be offered to the families.
Cllr Angus Campbell, chair of the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership, said: “Preparatory work has been ongoing and over the last six weeks discussions have taken place with other similar community planning partnerships who have resettled refugees so that the partnership can learn from their experience and understand some of the challenges, but also benefits that resettling refugees will bring.
"One of the main areas of consideration for the working group is the need to consider the use of interpreters.
"Feedback from other areas indicates that this is a service which is extremely important to aid resettlement and integration into the community, but also to ensure that families have access to all the appropriate services they will need."
Mr Campell added: "We are pleased that the Outer Hebrides is playing its part in the resettlement of Syrian families in Scotland.”
It is anticipated that the first families will arrive in the islands this spring.
A refugee resettlement health group has been established by NHS Western Isles and a weblink has been set up in partnership with the Volunteer Centre Western Isles so that people can volunteer to help.
Resettlement of Syrian families
4 February 2016